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What it is
A corked thigh (muscle contusion, or "corky") happens when a direct blow to the thigh compresses the muscle against the bone, causing bleeding and bruising deep within the muscle. It is common in contact sports and usually settles with appropriate early management and a graded return to activity.
How to treat a corky
What you do in the first two to three days matters most. Early on, the aim is to protect the muscle and limit further bleeding:
- Relative rest - ease off aggravating activity and sport
- Gentle compression - a firm (not tight) bandage can help
- Elevation - rest the leg up where you can
- Comfortable position - keeping the muscle gently lengthened where tolerated can help
In the early stages it is best to avoid the things that can increase bleeding and make a corky worse:
- Hard or deep massage of the area
- Heat, hot showers over the area, and alcohol
- Vigorous stretching or "running it off"
As the pain settles, gently restoring knee movement, then graded strengthening and a staged return to sport gives the best and most reliable recovery. A physiotherapist can guide the timing so you come back safely and reduce the chance of complications.
How long does it take to heal?
Everyone is different. A mild corky often settles in around 1-2 weeks, while a more significant contusion can take several weeks. How you manage it in the first few days has a real influence on how quickly and smoothly you recover.
Common symptoms
Everyone is different, but people often describe:
- Pain and tenderness at the site of impact
- Swelling and sometimes bruising
- Difficulty bending the knee or walking normally
- Tightness and reduced movement
- Discomfort that increases with activity
Likely causes
Contributing factors can include:
- A direct blow or knock to the thigh
- Collisions or contact in sport
- Impact from equipment or another player
How physiotherapy can help
Physiotherapy supports recovery and a safe return to sport. This may include:
- Advice on early management following the injury
- Assessment of your movement and strength as symptoms settle
- Guidance on restoring range of movement
- Graded strengthening and return-to-sport activities
- Advice on timelines and protecting the area
What to expect at your appointment
- A discussion of how the injury happened and your goals
- Assessment of your thigh, knee movement and strength
- A clear explanation and a return-to-activity plan
- Exercises and advice to begin straight away
Related service: Sports Physiotherapy →
Frequently asked questions
What is a corky?
A corky (corked thigh, or muscle contusion) is a bruise deep in the muscle caused by a direct blow that compresses the muscle against the bone. It causes pain, tightness and often swelling or bruising.
Should I massage or stretch it straight away?
Aggressive massage or stretching early on is not recommended and may aggravate the injury and increase bleeding. Your physiotherapist will guide you on safe, staged management.
How long does a corked thigh take to heal?
A mild corky often settles in around 1-2 weeks; a more severe contusion can take several weeks. Recovery depends on the severity and how you manage it early on.
How soon can I get back to sport?
This depends on the severity and how you respond. Your physiotherapist will use your movement, strength and comfort to guide a safe return.
When should I be concerned?
If swelling is severe, the thigh feels very tight and painful, you cannot bend the knee, or symptoms are not improving, seek assessment promptly so it can be managed appropriately.
Michael Skouroumounis - Physiotherapist
Michael is a physiotherapist with a strong interest in sporting injuries, muscle and joint pain and active rehabilitation. With a background in Australian Rules football and a love of strength training, he sees contact-related muscle injuries like corked thighs regularly and understands what it takes to settle bruising early, restore full movement and return to training and match play safely.